Blackboard.



No. 692,354. 'Patented F'eb.4, |902.

J. K. RITCHEY. BLACKBUARD.

(Application led Dec. 13, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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UNiE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPII K. RITCIIEY, OF ROARING SPRING, PENNSYLVANIA.

BLACKBOARD.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent N o. 692,354, dated February 4, 1902. Application tiled December 13, 1900. Serial No. 39,750. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH K. RrroHEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roaring Spring, in the county of Blair and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Blackboards; andldo declare the following to beafull,'clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in blackboards; and it consists in certain 'improved features of construction and combination of parts which Willbe hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front elevation of ablackboard embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof. tal section. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the blackboard-frame and a portion of the casing, showing the latter broken away to expose the counterweight. Figs. 5, 6, and rlare respectively a perspective View, a vertical section, and a horizontal section of a modified form of blackboard. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a ruler designed to be used in connection with my improved blackboard.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l represents my improved blackboard, which comprises a rectangular frame 2, suitably braced at the rear to prevent warping by strips 3 and inclosing a writing-surface 4c, composed of slated cloth or paper having a backing' of cardboard, leatherine, or other suitable material, the slated cloth or paper and backing being se cured to the frame in any approved manner. A spring-actuated shade-roller 6, of the ordinary or any preferred construction, is mounted at the top of the blackboard-frame on the front side thereof, and has attached thereto a shade or chart-blind 7, Which may be drawn down over upon the writing-surface 4 to conceal the same from view. Thus a teacher or lecturer using the board may place thereon the lessons or Work for the ensuing day and keep the same concealed until ready to present it. This is of great advantage in schoolwork, as it permits the teacher to place Fig. 3 is a horizonclosure of the Work arrives.

The outer or front surfaces of the side and bottom rails of the frame of the blackboard 2 are ruled or provided with grad nations to facilitate and render easier the operation of making accurate diagrams or drawings upon the board. These ruled lines or graduations are also of advantage in the drawing of straight horizontal or vertical lines in teaching music and penmanship.

The numeral 8 designates the casing, having a top and side boXings. The front strips of the side boxings are extended toward the open space of the casing to form,with the rear wall of said casing, channels or ways 9 at the inner side .face portions, in which is mounted the blackboard, and by means of the counterbalancing-weights 10, located in the boXings, and the lower ends of cords 11, connected thereto, said cords passing over pulleys secured to the top boxing, the upper ends of the cords being secured to the top edge of the blackboard, whereby a vertical movement of the said blackboard is had, and the saine is held in an adjusted position by means of said counterbalancing-Weights.

If desired, springs may be substituted for the cords to draw the board up and suitable fastening means be provided to hold the board at any desired elevation. The casing 8 may be provided at its lower end with a chalk or crayon trough 12 and is preferably made twice the length of the board and consists of a back, a top. rail, side rails in which the said guide-grooves are formed, and a bottom rail, forming the said trough l2. The lower half of the back of the casing is exposed when the blackboard is elevated to its highest extent, and I provide this portion with a writing-surface to form a blackboard, which may be concealed by sliding the adjustable blackboard down to its lowest position. A notch or recess 13 is formed in the bottom rail of the frame 2 to adapt the board to be easily moved; but a hand-grip of any preferred construction may be substituted therefor, if desired. -It will be seen that by mounting the blackboard in the manner described an ornamental roo' structure is provided, While the board is adapted to be adjusted to secure the best light eects. The blind 7 may bear any desired instructive matter.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 I have shown a transportable casing S, adapted for lecture-hall, Sunday-school, and like use. This casing is mounted upon legs 14 and is composed of side rails having guide grooves or Ways 9, in which the blackboard is fitted to slide, a bottom rail l2, which may be in the form of a chalk-trough, and a pocket-receptacle 15, adapted to receive the lower portion of the blackboard when the latter is slid down to its lowest position. The side rails are provided With handles 16 for convenience. in transporting the device from place'to place and with springs 17 to bear upon the blackboard and hold the same in adjusted position. The construction of the blackboard in both forms of the invention is essentially the same.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a novel form of ruler adapted for use in connection with the improved blackboard. AThis ruler 18 is formed with shoulders 19 to bear upon the side rails of the blackboard, so as to hold said ruler rmly in position against slipping while in use.

From the ,foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation, and advantages of my improved blackboard will be readily understood. Changes in the form,

proportion, and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the inven tion Without departing from the spirit or sacriiicing any of the advantages thereof.

y I-Iaving thus particularly described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a blackboard, the combination with a casing having an inclosing rear wall the lower portion forming a Writing-surface, a top and opposite side boxings secured to said wall, and channels at the inner side face portions of the side boxings formed by means of the rear wall and by the extension of the front strips of the side boxings toward the center of the casing, pulleys secured in the top boxing, and a chalk-receptacle formed longitudinally in the sill of the casing, of a blackboard having marginal graduation marks thereon, and a spring-screen secured to the upper portion of the blackboard, said blackboard mounted in said channels, and counterbalancing-weights located in said side boXings, and cords connected to the top of the blackboard and passing over the pulleys and connected to said counterbalancing- Weights whereby a vertical adjustment of the said blackboard is had, substantially1 as specitied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

JOSEPH K. 'RITGHE Witnesses:

J. MERRILL WILLIAMS, L. G. GROFT. 

